U.S. patent application number 14/106437 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for methods and systems for temperature regulation devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is SUNEDISON LLC. Invention is credited to Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Sandeep Rammohan Koppikar, Marath Prakash.
Application Number | 20140166075 14/106437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929526 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koppikar; Sandeep Rammohan ;
et al. |
June 19, 2014 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TEMPERATURE REGULATION DEVICES
Abstract
A heat exchanger for coupling to a device is described. The heat
exchanger includes an inner layer configured for placement against
at least one surface of the device, an outer layer opposite the
inner layer, a fluid chamber defined between the outer layer and
the inner layer, an inlet for directing a thermal transfer fluid
into the fluid chamber, an outlet for receiving the thermal
transfer fluid from the fluid chamber, and at least one filler
within the fluid chamber. The filler is coupled to the outer layer
and the inner layer and configured to control a flow of the thermal
transfer fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
Inventors: |
Koppikar; Sandeep Rammohan;
(Bangalore, IN) ; Prakash; Marath; (Bangalore,
IN) ; Cherukupalli; Nagendra Srinivas; (Cupertino,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUNEDISON LLC |
Beltsville |
MD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50929526 |
Appl. No.: |
14/106437 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61737582 |
Dec 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
61759109 |
Jan 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
136/246 ;
165/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/50 20130101;
H02S 40/425 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
136/246 ;
165/168 |
International
Class: |
H01L 31/052 20060101
H01L031/052 |
Claims
1. A photovoltaic (PV) module comprising: a solar panel comprising
a top surface and a bottom surface; a heat exchanger in thermal
communication with the bottom surface of the solar panel, wherein
the heat exchanger comprises: an outer layer; a fluid chamber
defined between the outer layer and the bottom surface of the solar
panel; an inlet for directing a thermal transfer fluid into the
fluid chamber; an outlet for receiving the thermal transfer fluid
from the fluid chamber; and at least one spacer within the fluid
chamber, the spacer configured to control a flow of the thermal
transfer fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
2-5. (canceled)
6. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger further
comprises an inner layer between the fluid chamber and the bottom
surface of the solar panel.
7. The PV module of claim 6, wherein the inner layer includes a
thermally conductive material.
8. (canceled)
9. The PV module of claim 6, further comprising a thermal interface
material positioned between the inner layer of the heat exchanger
and the bottom layer of the solar panel.
10. The PV module of claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger is
mechanically and in thermal communication with the bottom surface
of the solar panel with a thermally conductive adhesive.
11. The PV module of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is
integrally formed with the solar panel.
12. The PV module of claim 11, wherein the solar panel comprises a
laminate structure, and the heat exchanger is laminated as part of
the laminate structure.
13. A photovoltaic (PV) system comprising: a fluid pump; a fluid
heat exchanger configured to thermally alter a thermal transfer
fluid and provide the thermal transfer fluid to the fluid pump; and
a PV module coupled to the fluid pump and the fluid heat exchanger,
the PV module configured to receive the thermal transfer fluid from
the pump, the PV module comprising: a solar panel including a top
surface and a bottom surface; and a heat exchanger in thermal
communication with the bottom surface of the solar panel, the heat
exchanger including a fluid chamber having at least one spacer
within the fluid chamber, the heat exchanger configured to receive
the thermal transfer fluid from the fluid pump into the fluid
chamber and output the thermal transfer fluid to the fluid heat
exchanger after the thermal transfer fluid has passed through the
fluid chamber.
14. The PV system of claim 13, wherein the heat exchanger
comprises: an outer layer, the fluid chamber defined between the
outer layer and the bottom surface of the solar panel; an inlet for
directing the thermal transfer fluid into the fluid chamber; an
outlet for receiving the thermal transfer fluid from the fluid
chamber; and wherein the at least one spacer within the fluid
chamber is configured to control a flow of the thermal transfer
fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
15-18. (canceled)
19. The PV system of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger further
comprises an inner layer between the fluid chamber and the bottom
surface of the solar panel.
20. The PV system of claim 19, wherein the inner layer includes a
thermally conductive material.
21. (canceled)
22. The PV system of claim 19, further comprising a thermal
interface material positioned between the inner layer of the heat
exchanger and the bottom layer of the solar panel.
23. The PV system of claim 19, wherein the heat exchanger is
mechanically coupled to the bottom surface of the solar panel with
a thermally conductive adhesive.
24. The PV system of claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger is
integrally formed with the solar panel.
25. The PV system of claim 24, wherein the solar panel comprises a
laminate structure, and the heat exchanger is laminated as part of
the laminate structure.
26. A heat exchanger for coupling to a device to regulate a
temperature of the device, the heat exchanger comprising: an inner
layer configured for placement against at least one surface of the
device; an outer layer opposite the inner layer; a fluid chamber
defined between the outer layer and the inner layer; an inlet for
directing a thermal transfer fluid into the fluid chamber; an
outlet for receiving the thermal transfer fluid from the fluid
chamber; and at least one spacer within the fluid chamber, the
spacer coupled to the outer layer and the inner layer, the spacer
configured to control a flow of the thermal transfer fluid between
the inlet and the outlet.
27. The heat exchanger of claim 26, wherein the at least one spacer
includes a metal mesh that substantially fills the fluid
chamber.
28. The heat exchanger of claim 26, wherein the at least one spacer
includes a sponge that substantially fills the fluid chamber.
29. The heat exchanger of claim 26, wherein the at least one spacer
includes a plurality of spacers configured to direct the flow of
thermal transfer fluid along a path having a length greater than a
straight-line distance between the inlet and the outlet.
30. The heat exchanger of claim 29, wherein the plurality of
spacers are arranged to direct the flow of thermal transfer fluid
along a path having a plurality of 180 degree turns.
31-34. (canceled)
35. The PV module of claim 26, wherein the at least one spacer
includes a sponge that substantially fills the fluid chamber.
36. A photovoltaic (PV) module comprising: a solar panel comprising
a top surface and a bottom surface; a heat exchanger in thermal
communication with the bottom surface of the solar panel, wherein
the heat exchanger comprises: an outer layer; a fluid chamber
defined between the outer layer and the bottom surface of the solar
panel; an inlet for directing a thermal transfer fluid into the
fluid chamber; and an outlet for receiving the thermal transfer
fluid from the fluid chamber.
37. The PV system of claim 36, wherein the heat exchanger further
comprises an inner layer between the fluid chamber and the bottom
surface of the solar panel.
38. The PV system of claim 37, wherein the inner layer includes a
thermally conductive material.
39. The PV system of claim 38, wherein the outer layer is
configured to reduce bloating of the heat exchanger.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/737,582 filed Dec. 14, 2012 and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/759,109 filed Jan. 31, 2013, the entire
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to temperature regulation,
and more specifically, to methods and systems for regulating
temperature using a multilayered heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various devices can benefit from temperature regulation. In
particular, many electronic and/or electrical devices benefit from
temperature reduction and/or limiting temperature increases. For
example, photovoltaic (PV) modules are devices which convert solar
energy into electricity. Some known PV modules convert around 85%
of incoming sunlight into heat. During peak conditions, this can
result in a heat-generation of 850 W/m.sup.2 and PV module
temperatures as high as 70.degree. C. The electrical power produced
by PV modules decreases linearly with increase in module
temperature. For example, in bright sunlight, crystalline silicon
PV modules may heat up to 20-30.degree. C. above ambient
temperature, resulting in a 10-15% reduction in power output
relative to the rated power output for the PV module. Moreover,
higher PV module temperatures may increase material degradation,
such as thermal fatigue failure of interconnections between PV
cells in the PV module. Accordingly, PV modules may benefit from
reduced temperatures and/or from reducing a rate of increase in
temperature.
[0004] This Background section is intended to introduce the reader
to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of
the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below.
This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader
with background information to facilitate a better understanding of
the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it
should be understood that these statements are to be read in this
light, and not as admissions of prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a photovoltaic
(PV) module includes a solar panel having a top surface and a
bottom surface, and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with
the bottom surface of the solar panel. The heat exchanger includes
an outer layer, a fluid chamber defined between the outer layer and
the bottom surface of the solar panel, an inlet for directing a
thermal transfer fluid into the fluid chamber, an outlet for
receiving the thermal transfer fluid from the fluid chamber, and at
least one spacer within the fluid chamber. The spacer is configured
to control a flow of the thermal transfer fluid between the inlet
and the outlet.
[0006] In another aspect, a PV system includes a fluid pump, a
fluid heat exchanger configured to thermally alter a thermal
transfer fluid and provide the thermal transfer fluid to the fluid
pump, and a PV module coupled to the fluid pump and the fluid heat
exchanger. The PV module is configured to receive the thermal
transfer fluid from the pump. The PV module includes a solar panel
having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a heat exchanger in
thermal communication with the bottom surface of the solar panel.
The heat exchanger includes a fluid chamber having at least one
spacer within the fluid chamber. The heat exchanger is configured
to receive the thermal transfer fluid from the fluid pump into the
fluid chamber and output the thermal transfer fluid to the fluid
heat exchanger after the thermal transfer fluid has passed through
the fluid chamber.
[0007] Yet another aspect is a heat exchanger for coupling to a
device to regulate a temperature of the device. The heat exchanger
includes an inner layer configured for placement against at least
one surface of the device, an outer layer opposite the inner layer,
a fluid chamber defined between the outer layer and the inner
layer, an inlet for directing a thermal transfer fluid into the
fluid chamber, an outlet for receiving the thermal transfer fluid
from the fluid chamber, and at least one spacer within the fluid
chamber. The spacer is coupled to the outer layer and the inner
layer and configured to control a flow of the thermal transfer
fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
[0008] Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation
to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be
incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These
refinements and additional features may exist individually or in
any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in
relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated
into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any
combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example PV module;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the PV module shown in
FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary heat
exchanger;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a temperature regulation system including the heat
exchanger shown in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly
including a heat exchanger attached to a PV module;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of an assembly including a heat
exchanger integrated into a PV module;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the assembly shown in
FIG. 6 taken along the line A-A in FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary stand-alone heat
exchanger;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of heat exchanger shown in
FIG. 8 taken along the line B-B in FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top view of a heat exchanger including a
plurality of plastic spacers;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of heat exchanger shown in
FIG. 10 taken along the line C-C in FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary connection
assembly for use as an inlet and/or outlet for a heat exchanger;
and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a heat exchanger coupled to a device.
[0022] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The embodiments described herein generally relate to
temperature regulation and control. More specifically, embodiments
described herein relate to methods and systems for regulating and
controlling temperature using a multilayered heat exchanger.
Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to
photovoltaic (PV) modules. However, the teachings of the present
disclosure may be applied to any device that may benefit from
enhanced temperature regulation. Moreover, although various
embodiments will be discussed with respect to cooling a device, it
should be understood that the embodiments described herein may
additionally, or alternatively, be used to heat a device with which
they are used.
[0024] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a PV module is
indicated generally at 100. A perspective view of PV module 100 is
shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of PV module 100
taken at line A-A shown in FIG. 1. PV module 100 includes a solar
panel 102 and a frame 104 circumscribing solar panel 102.
[0025] Solar panel 102 includes a top surface 106 and a bottom
surface 108 (shown in FIG. 2). Edges 109 extend between top surface
106 and bottom surface 108. In this embodiment, solar panel 102 is
rectangular shaped. In other embodiments, solar panel 102 may have
any suitable shape.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, this solar panel 102 has a laminate
structure that includes several layers 118. Layers 118 may include
for example glass layers, non-reflective layers, electrical
connection layers, n-type silicon layers, p-type silicon layers,
and/or backing layers. In other embodiments, solar panel 102 may
have more or fewer, including one, layers 118, may have different
layers 118, and/or may have different types of layers 118.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, frame 104 circumscribes solar panel 102.
Frame 104 is coupled to solar panel 102, as best seen in FIG. 2.
Frame 104 assists in protecting edges 109 of solar panel 102. In
this embodiment, frame 104 is constructed of four frame members
120. In other embodiments frame 104 may include more or fewer frame
members 120.
[0028] Exemplary frame 104 includes an outer surface 130 spaced
apart from solar panel 102 and an inner surface 132 adjacent solar
panel 102. Outer surface 130 is spaced apart from and substantially
parallel to inner surface 132. In this embodiment, frame 104 is
made of aluminum. More particularly, in some embodiments frame 104
is made of 6000 series anodized aluminum. In other embodiments,
frame 104 may be made of any other suitable material providing
sufficient rigidity including, for example, rolled or stamped
stainless steel, plastic, or carbon fiber.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an exemplary
heat exchanger 300 according to the present disclosure. Heat
exchanger 300 includes an inner layer 302, a fluid layer 304, and
an outer layer 306. In this embodiment, fluid layer 304 includes a
chamber 305 and one or more spacers or spacing material (not shown
in FIG. 3) to maintain a substantially consistent separation
between inner and outer layers 302 and 306. The spacers are
connected to inner layer 302 and outer layer 306 to, among other
things, prevent bulging of inner or outer layer 302 or 306 when
fluid is pumped into chamber 305 of fluid layer 304. Seals 308
connect inner and outer layers 302 and 306 to provide a
substantially water tight seal around fluid layer 304, and more
specifically around chamber 305. Thus, a heat transfer fluid, such
as water, oil, etc., may flow through fluid layer 304 to extract
heat from a device with which heat exchanger 300 is used, without
the fluid contacting the device. In some embodiments, seals 308 may
be, additionally or alternatively, spacers or spacing material.
Moreover, in some embodiments, seals 308 may be integrally formed
with inner layer 302 and/or outer layer 306.
[0030] Inner layer 302 is the portion of heat exchanger 300 that
will be in contact with the device to be temperature regulated by
heat exchanger 300. Accordingly, inner layer 302 is made from a
material having relatively high thermal conductivity. Moreover, the
material for inner layer 302 is selected to conform reasonably well
to the surface of the device with which it will be used in order to
provide sufficient thermal contact or thermal communication with
the surface of the device. In this embodiment, inner layer 302
comprises a sheet that is suitably made of metal. In other
embodiments, inner layer 302 may be an aluminum sheet.
[0031] The thickness of inner layer 302 may be varied to suit
different uses. Thicker sheets may be used to provide increased
rigidity and thermal transfer, but with a corresponding decrease in
flexibility and/or conformability. In some embodiments, inner layer
302 is a thin, metal foil. In one exemplary embodiment, inner layer
302 is a metal foil having a thickness of about 0.1 millimeter.
Other embodiments may use thicker or thinner metal foils. The use
of thinner materials for inner layer 302 may increase the
flexibility of heat exchanger 300, reduce the weight of heat
exchanger 300, and/or permit it to conform to more irregular shaped
devices. In general, inner layer 302 may be constructed from any
thermally conductive material of sufficient strength and
impermeability to retain a heat transfer fluid within heat
exchanger 300.
[0032] Outer layer 306 is the portion of heat exchanger 300
opposite the side of heat exchanger 300 that will be in contact
with the device to be temperature regulated by heat exchanger 300
(i.e., opposite inner layer 302). In some embodiments, outer layer
306 is made of a material having relatively high thermal
conductivity, such as a metal sheet or a metal foil, to permit heat
to radiate from fluid layer 304 through outer layer 306. In other
embodiments, outer layer is fabricated from a material that is not
particularly thermally conductive, such as a plastic sheet or film.
The thickness of outer layer 306 may be varied to suit different
uses. Thicker sheets may be used to provide increased rigidity and
thermal transfer, but with a corresponding decrease in flexibility
and/or conformability. In some embodiments, outer layer 306 is a
thin, metal foil. In other embodiments, outer layer 306 is a thin
sheet that is suitably made of plastic. The use of thinner
materials for outer layer 306 may increase the flexibility of heat
exchanger 300, reduce the weight of heat exchanger 300, and/or
permit it to conform to more irregular shaped devices. In general,
outer layer 306 may be made of any material of sufficient strength
and impermeability to retain a heat transfer fluid within heat
exchanger 300.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of a closed loop temperature
control or regulation system 400 including heat exchanger 300 (heat
exchanger may alternatively be referred to as a meshplate). Heat
exchanger 300 is coupled to a device 402 that may benefit from
temperature regulation provided by heat exchanger. In this
embodiment, device 402 is a device, such as PV module 100, that
generates heat and heat exchanger 300 is used to reduce the
temperature and/or slow the rise in temperature of device 402. In
other embodiments, heat exchanger 300 may be used to increase the
temperature of device 402 and/or slow the decrease in temperature
of device.
[0034] In this embodiment, a pump 404 pumps a thermal transfer
fluid (e.g., a coolant) to an inlet (not shown in FIG. 4) of heat
exchanger 300. The transfer fluid passes into chamber 305 of fluid
layer 304 through the inlet. Within chamber 305, the thermal
transfer fluid draws off heat from device 402, via thermal
conduction through connection of inner layer 302 to device 402. The
thermal transfer fluid exits heat exchanger 300 via an outlet (not
shown in FIG. 4) and is directed to a fluid heat exchanger 406.
Fluid heat exchanger 406 may be any heat exchange device suitable
for extracting the heat carried by the thermal transfer fluid. For
example, fluid heat exchanger may be a radiator, an extended length
of thermally conductive conduit, a condenser, etc. Moreover, in
some embodiments fluid heat exchanger 406 may be part of another
system, such that heat extracted from thermal transfer fluid may be
used by the other system. In one example embodiment fluid heat
exchanger 406 is a radiator used to warm the air inside a
structure. In another embodiment fluid heat exchanger 406 is used
to heat water.
[0035] As will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in
the art, system 400 may, additionally or alternatively, be used to
heat device 402. In such embodiments, thermal transfer fluid having
a temperature greater than device 402 is pumped by pump 404 to heat
exchanger 300. Within chamber 305, the thermal transfer fluid loses
its heat to device 402, via conduction through inner layer 302.
Fluid heat exchanger 406 then increases the temperature of the heat
transfer fluid before pump 404 returns the fluid to heat exchange
device 300. A single system 400 may be used to selectively heat or
cool device 402 through use of a dual purpose fluid heat exchanger
406 or separate, selectable, fluid heat exchangers 406: one for
heating the thermal fluid and another for cooling the thermal
fluid. Thus, device 402 may be cooled by system 400 when
temperatures are relatively high, and warmed by system 400 when
temperatures are relatively cool.
[0036] A controller 408 controls operation of system 400. More
specifically, controller 408 controls operation of system 400 to
obtain a desired amount of cooling and/or heating of device 402. In
some embodiments, controller 408 may monitor a temperature of
device 402 with a sensor (not shown). Other embodiments do not
include controller 408. In this embodiment, controller 408 is
configured to control operation of pump 404. Controller 408 may
operate pump 404 continuously, intermittently, and/or may pulse
pump 404 to achieve a desired heating/cooling of device 402. In
some embodiments, controller 408 may additionally, or
alternatively, control operation of fluid heat exchanger 406 and/or
heat exchanger 300. In still other embodiments, controller 408 may
also control operation of device 402. For example, controller 408
may be a PV system controller that controls operation of a direct
current (DC) to alternating current (AC) power converter extracting
power from a PV module device 402.
[0037] Controller 408 may be any suitable controller, including any
suitable analog controller, digital controller, or combination of
analog and digital controllers. In some embodiments, controller 408
includes a processor (not shown) that executes instructions for
software that may be loaded into a memory device. The processor may
be a set of one or more processors or may include multiple
processor cores, depending on the particular implementation.
Further, the processor may be implemented using one or more
heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is
present with secondary processors on a single chip. In another
embodiment, the processor may be a homogeneous processor system
containing multiple processors of the same type. In some
embodiments, controller 408 includes a memory device (not shown).
As used herein, a memory device is any tangible piece of hardware
that is capable of storing information either on a temporary basis
and/or a permanent basis. The memory device may be, for example,
without limitation, a random access memory and/or any other
suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. The memory device
may take various forms depending on the particular implementation,
and may contain one or more components or devices. For example, the
memory device may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable
optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, and/or some combination
of the above. The media used by memory device also may be
removable. For example, without limitation, a removable hard drive
may be used for the memory device.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary
assembly including heat exchanger 300 attached to PV module
100.
[0039] In this embodiment, solar panel 102 includes a front glass
500, solar cells 502 surrounded by an encapsulant 504, and a back
sheet 506. In this embodiment, the encapsulant 504 comprises
ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, any other
suitable encapsulant may be used. In this embodiment, back sheet
506 is a polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) material. In other embodiments,
back sheet 506 may be any other suitable back sheet material or a
laminate of materials, including, for example a laminate of PVF
surrounding a polyester material.
[0040] Thermal transfer fluid enters heat exchanger 300 via inlet
508 and passes through chamber 305 to outlet 510. A spacer 512 is
contained within chamber 305. Spacer 512 separates inner and outer
layers 302 and 306 and slows the flow of the thermal transfer fluid
through chamber 305 to permit the thermal transfer fluid to absorb
heat from solar panel 102. In this embodiment, spacer 512 includes
a mesh. More specifically, spacer 512 is a woven mesh. In other
embodiments, spacer 512 may include a non-woven mesh, a sponge,
spacer strips, capillary tubes, or some combination of the above.
In this embodiment, mesh 512 is attached to inner and outer layers
302 and 306 and substantially fills chamber 305.
[0041] Heat exchanger 300 may be permanently or semi-permanently
integrated into PV module 102, or may be a standalone component
that may be removably attached to a device. A standalone heat
exchanger 300 may be coupled to device 402 by any suitable means to
provide a thermally connection between inner layer 302 and a
surface of device 402. In some embodiments, heat exchanger 300 is
connected to device 402 using a thermally conductive adhesive,
including for example a double-sided, thermally conductive
tape.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary assembly 600 including
heat exchanger 300 integrated into PV module 100. FIG. 7 is a cross
sectional view of assembly 600 taken along the line A-A in FIG.
6.
[0043] In assembly 600, heat exchanger 300 is integrally formed
with PV module 100 and does not need to be separately adhered to PV
module 100. Moreover, heat exchanger 300 uses backsheet 506 of PV
module 100 as inner layer 302. Spacer strips 602 extend between
inner layer 302 (i.e., backsheet 506) and outer layer 306 to define
cavity 305. Although not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, cavity 305 also
includes spacer 512. In this embodiment, spacer 512 is a metallic
mesh 512 capable of withstanding the heat and pressure of
lamination with PV module 100. In other embodiments, cavity 305 may
include any other suitable filler and/or spacer. Outer layer 306
extends around spacer strips 602 to adhere heat exchanger 300 to PV
module 100 and facilitate sealing cavity 305.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a top view of a stand-alone heat exchanger 300 of
one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of heat exchanger
300 taken along the line B-B in FIG. 8. The embodiment of heat
exchanger 300 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is not integrally formed with
any device and may be attached to any device, such as PV module
100, by any suitable type of attachment. In this embodiment, two
sets of seals 308 are included around spacer 512.
[0045] FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example heat exchanger 300 in which
spacer 512 includes a parallel arrangement of plastic spacers. FIG.
10 is a top view, and FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along
the line C-C in FIG. 10. Heat exchanger 300 shown in FIGS. 10 and
11 may be integrated into a device or may be a standalone heat
exchanger 300. The gap between adjacent spacers may be any suitable
distance that ensures good fluid flow within the system to improve
heat transfer and reduce bloating issues.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a partially schematic cross section of a suitable
connection assembly 1200 for use at inlet 508 and/or outlet 510 of
any embodiment of heat exchanger 300. Assembly 1200 includes a male
component 1202 positioned inside exchanger 300 and extending
through outer layer 306. A female component 1204 is positioned
outside of heat exchanger 300 adjacent outer layer 306. Female
component 1204 receives and surrounds the portion of male component
1202 that extends outside of heat exchanger 300. A portion of outer
layer 306 is trapped between female component 1204 and male
component 1202. Tubing 1206, used to transport thermal transfer
fluid to and from heat exchanger 300, is inserted into female
component 1204 to couple tubing 1206 to male component 1202.
Assembly 1200 forms a liquid tight connection to heat exchanger
300. Thermal transfer fluid (e.g., a suitable coolant) may be
transferred, via tubing 1206 and assembly 1200, from outside of
heat exchanger 300 to the interior of heat exchanger 300, and vice
versa.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a partially schematic view of heat exchanger 300
coupled to a device 1300. The device may be any suitable device
that may benefit from temperature regulation provided by heat
exchanger 300.
[0048] The heat exchangers and systems described herein generally
provide inexpensive and effective ways to regulate temperature of a
device, such as a PV module. Some embodiments of the heat
exchangers disclosed herein can be integrated into the backsheet
structure of a PV module using only an encapsulant and, thereby,
can capitalize on existing manufacturing infrastructure and its
economy of scale. Some embodiments of the heat exchangers can be
used with a simple attachment mechanism to be affixed to nearly any
PV modules, thereby making it field-retrofittable and easy to clean
and/or replace. These heat exchangers are thus usable convert a
conventional PV system or module into a PV-thermal system.
[0049] Moreover, coolant losses in the exemplary heat exchangers
and systems will be negligible in a properly constructed system
because coolant is retained within the system, i.e., it is a closed
loop system, and there is no provision to allow coolant to
intentionally escape. When used to cool PV modules, some heat
exchangers of this disclosure have produced a decrease in PV module
temperature of 18-20.degree. C., and increased power output of the
PV modules by about 10% at peak operating conditions. Other
implementations may result in greater or lesser temperature
reductions and/or greater or lesser increases in PV module
efficiency.
[0050] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements.
[0051] As various changes could be made in the above without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description and shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
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